The Hobbit Casts Luke Evans, Confirms Benedict Cumberbatch

The Hobbit has filled some major roles. Actor, Luke Evans (Clash of the Titans, Robin Hood, Immortals) has been cast as Bard the Bowman, a critical character in the events of the story. Additionally, Sherlock star, Benedict Cumberbatch, whose casting was accidentally leaked last month, has been revealed to play the voice of the fire-breathing, treasure-pillaging Smaug the Dragon.

With that, it appears that the primary cast for the two films, 2012's The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and 2013's The Hobbit: There and Back Again are filled.

For Evans, this will be a major step up, since the role of Bard is likely to be expanded in the two-part epic more so than portrayed in the original book. This is especially so in the second film, which will have him filling the role of an all-around action hero, similar to Viggo Mortensen's Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. However, much like in the book, Bard's primary function will be to meet a destiny and look to avenge the death of his royal ancestor, King Girion of Dale, who was killed when Smaug ravaged the once great kingdom.

Cumberbatch, on the other hand, will nab a prime voice role, which, at various times, Internet rumors had going to established talents like Bill Nighy and even Leonard Nimoy. The role of Smaug the Dragon will be critical to the first film, in which the focus will be on the journey of Bilbo and his traveling companions of thirteen dwarves to retake a kingdom in the Lonely Mountains that is occupied by the giant fire-breathing gold hoarder.